Chicken Tortilla Soup: Low-Calorie, Flavorful, and Filling

# What this soup is

# Core ingredients and why they matter

• Lean protein: shredded chicken provides satiety and keeps the calorie count down. The recipe uses reduced-sodium chicken broth as the liquid base.
• Vegetables and legumes: canned diced tomatoes, drained-and-rinsed hominy (or corn), and black beans add fiber, texture, and volume so a smaller portion still feels filling.
• Flavor building blocks: onion, garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper create layered savory and slightly smoky notes without heavy fats.

# How it comes together (high-level)

Sauté aromatics (onion and garlic) in a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil, add chopped corn tortillas and tomato paste to build depth, then sprinkle in smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour in reduced-sodium chicken broth and canned tomatoes, then add the hominy (or corn), drained black beans, and cooked shredded chicken. Simmer briefly to meld flavors. Finish bowls with baked or air-fried tortilla strips and a squeeze of lime if you like.

# Practical serving and tracking notes

• Portioning: the published nutrition is per 1-cup serving. If you want a more generous bowl, plan accordingly and adjust calories/points.
• Crunch without frying: the recipe suggests baked or air-fried tortilla strips for texture with less added fat than deep frying.

• Weight Watchers: tags on the original post list a FreeStyle SmartPoints value (4 smartpoints), useful for readers tracking that program, but confirm with your own tracking tool if you alter portions or toppings.

# Small variations to consider

• Hominy vs corn: hominy gives a chewier, more traditional tortilla-soup texture and a slightly nutty note. Regular canned or frozen corn makes the soup sweeter and more familiar.
• Protein swaps: the recipe is built around chicken but could accept pre-cooked shredded turkey or a modest amount of plant protein if you prefer.

# Why people might choose this recipe

It balances comfort-soup qualities with controlled calories. The mix of legumes and hominy stretches the protein and provides fiber so the soup fills you without piling on fat. It's pantry-friendly: canned tomatoes, beans, and hominy, plus basic spices, mean minimal last-minute shopping.

# Quick checklist before you cook

• Use reduced-sodium chicken broth to keep salt lower.
• Drain and rinse canned black beans and hominy.
• Crisp tortilla strips in the oven or air fryer for a lighter topping.
• Measure servings against the 1-cup nutrition info if you're tracking calories or SmartPoints.